There are thousands of examples on how mixing metal with folk music can go horribly horribly wrong and in my opinion only one solid example of the contrary — Ukrainian band Drudkh. That is until now, for that is exactly how talented Finnish relative newcomers Draugnim are. Certainly not for all tastes, but if you are the sort of person that deep down inside is secretly attracted to the thought of dying in battle on a misty mire in the Finnish taiga you must not miss this album! Every song on Northwind’s Ire is head above most pagan metal that has been produced, and is perfect for the season. I can only hope that this heralds a new era in the genre, as talented bands such as Walknut, Negură Bunget and even Blut Aus Nord are set to release new albums.